In brief
AI‑driven political advertising and chatbot misinformation are spreading across social media as U.S. voters head to the November 3 midterm elections. Xinhua reports a sharp rise in undisclosed AI ads and warns of risks to electoral integrity, while Malaysia’s Star highlights the broader problem of chatbots disseminating falsehoods, including elements of Russian propaganda.
Artificial‑intelligence–driven disinformation is saturating social media feeds as U.S. voters prepare to go to the polls on November 3, according to Xinhua and the Malaysian daily The Star, sparking concerns that hidden AI‑generated content may mislead voters and undermine the integrity of the midterm elections.
Xinhua began its coverage by noting a dramatic increase in undisclosed AI‑generated political advertisements. The Wesleyan Media Project, cited in the report, identified 220 such ads worth more than 137 million U.S. dollars before the election, a marked jump from the roughly 50 000 dollars attributed to AI usage during the 2024 cycle, and an "almost certainly" low estimate amid detection challenges. The article highlighted several provocative examples, including a Republican governor candidate shown embracing Hillary Clinton under the slogan "Clinton Lover. Trump Hater," a Democratic Senate candidate depicted laughing at slogans such as "Death to America," and a Republican primary candidate for Florida governor shown hosting a party with Iranian leaders "using scimitars to attack the Star of David."
Frances Haugen, former Facebook data engineer and whistleblower, was quoted by Xinhua:
"You can run an information operation now with quality that was impossible in 2016 for super, super cheap," said Frances Haugen, a former Facebook data engineer turned whistleblower and advocate for transparency and accountability in big tech.And she added:
"Those seeking to spread disinformation can get around content moderation rules 'because you can just keep tweaking the post a little bit each time you create them, and some of them are going to get through,'" she described.
The Xinhua piece also reported a survey from the American Association of Political Consultants Foundation, which found that only 1 percent of respondents considered AI their most credible source of election information, yet one in five voters plans to use AI to investigate a race on their ballot. Twice that proportion have already received election details through an AI search summary, according to the survey. In addition, the report noted a cottage‑industry of advisors who help candidates shape what AI says about them, including a left‑wing advocacy group, Run for Something, which launched CampSight to track AI‑generated political content.
The Star focuses on the broader ecosystem of AI chatbots distributing misinformation. The Malaysian outlet states:
"Dispensing misleading voter information, misidentifying candidates, and regurgitating Russian propaganda, AI chatbots are sowing information chaos ahead of the U.S. election," the report notes."The Star’s coverage frames the challenge as part of a global scrutiny of AI tools for political manipulation, with international observers calling for tighter regulation and disclosure requirements.
Both outlets agree that the rapid rise of AI technology in political communication raises significant ethical and regulatory questions. Xinhua stresses the economic scale and creative design of undisclosed AI ads, while The Star emphasizes the spread of misinformation via chatbots and the need for international oversight. Neither outlet declares a definitive resolution but underscores the urgency of transparency, voter education, and potential policy responses as election day approaches.
